Choosing a Puppy Questions

Choosing a Puppy

Hi!
I'm new to the forum so firstly an introduction. I'm Tasmin, a dog trainer living in Essex (I train mostly aggression cases and general obedience) I'm extremely interested in learning how to train protection, detection and tracking/trailing but am failing in finding seminars or anything similar... any advice on that would be greatly appreciated.

I have a GSD x Malinois named Rogue who is the best dog in the world. But I'm looking to bring home a new puppy (a Malinois) in order to work as mentioned.

Currently I appear to have two options, the first is a litter of puppies who are six weeks old, there's only one for me to choose but they are from working lines and IPO champions, both parents were imported from holland (van Joefarm lines) and the sire is working protecting celebrities in Ireland. Grandparents and aunts and uncles as well as previous litters have been shown to me in videos of the working and thladies it drive is incredible. This is the pup in the first pictures. The only thing is that obviously I don't get to choose my puppy.

The second option I have is a litter of puppies who are a week old currently and I'm the first to enquire so would get first pick of the litter, they are KC registered and five generation pedigree and both parents work for a security firm, although I can actually meet both of the parents there are no videos demonstrating their working lines or drive... but the breeder has said that I can perform any tests I like on the puppies and the parents and would be able to visit the puppies once per week to do anything I like in regards to spending time with them and developing drive. These are the ones in the last pictures. I've included pictures of both sets of parents too.

The last picture is of my boy Rogue as I've noticed with Malinois puppies it's hard to tell what their colouration will be like and although I'm not that concerned it would just be nice to have a different colouration. I love the Mals with a jet black mask and underside with the grayish light back but would also be happy with black mask and light fawn allover. Just looking for some advice.

Welcome to the forum Tasmin, and thank you for your photos. I wouldn't like to choose between the two litters, but I might want to take into account the parental health status, and check whether the parents might be too 'drivey', - though as a Malinois owner, you probably have done this already.

Have you thought of joining a Working Trials Club? The stakes progress from Intro right through to PD, (manwork), and tracking is an essential in all stakes from UD upwards. The Benfleet, and Essex2000 clubs should be within your striking distance, and you will learn of their, and other, training days once you are in the loop. Google Working Trials Info for more details. I do find the site a little quirky to negotiate, and you will need to register, but it is free to view.
Dogs of all types and backgrounds - provided they have the right build to be able cope with trials jumps of course - should be able to progress through to a respectable level. A good trainer, someone you can turn to for advice, is essential for the basics, even though most of the work is done on your own. Though it is a great feeling to win a stake, in trials you compete to accumulate points which will allow you to add those precious qualifications after your dog's name, and that depends on your partnership - not who else was in your class on the day.
Good luck with your decision - keep us posted.

Thank you so much for your help, I've been crazy busy but I'm looking into all of this to put it into place ready for the new puppy to arrive, we have chosen him and he's now 3 weeks old. Obviously our choice may change as his personality develops but the breeder was very pushy with us. Either way we're extremely happy with him. Delta will be added to our family late into November

Thank you so much for your help, I've been crazy busy but I'm looking into all of this to put it into place ready for the new puppy to arrive, we have chosen him and he's now 3 weeks old. Obviously our choice may change as his personality develops but the breeder was very pushy with us. Either way we're extremely happy with him. Delta will be added to our family late into November

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Our breeder also pushed us before 2 weeks old and we too had first pick. We were able to wait until about 3-4 weeks. Your pup looks like he will be dark. Ours is 9 weeks old here, thinking he'll definitely be a sable which is what we wanted. Jet black mask, prominent black stripe down his back and the coolest tail. His stripe ends in a point, then he has a perfect diamond shape below that and a black tip!

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Thank you so much for your help, I've been crazy busy but I'm looking into all of this to put it into place ready for the new puppy to arrive, we have chosen him and he's now 3 weeks old. Obviously our choice may change as his personality develops but the breeder was very pushy with us. Either way we're extremely happy with him. Delta will be added to our family late into November

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I’m sure as a trainer you must realise at 3 weeks old. You can’t assess the pups temperament properly , and the fact the breeder was pushy would make me uncomfortable , the breeder must know it’s far to early to determine temperament of pups to match new owners, most breeders I know would wait till pups were a lot older before matching to owner, and especially with such a specialised breed where nervous highly strung temperaments seem to be high in working strain lines.

Hi, update. Of course, I realised that I wouldn't be able to choose for definite at that age (and we spoke to the breeder and asked if we could switch to available puppies as they got older as that was the only way around it) the puppies are now 7 weeks old and we fell in love with a pretty little girl. She's the lightest of the litter (I was looking for a dark sable) and obviously a female (I originally wanted a male) but she continued to impress us every time that we visited. Always curious and inquisitive and investigating loud noises but also extremely affectionate and loved attention. She's definitely the most confident of the litter. So now this pretty little girl is our current choice. Now the debate of sticking with the original name (Delta) or switching to Envy... either way we're excited to bring home our puppy

Hi!
I'm new to the forum so firstly an introduction. I'm Tasmin, a dog trainer living in Essex (I train mostly aggression cases and general obedience) I'm extremely interested in learning how to train protection, detection and tracking/trailing but am failing in finding seminars or anything similar... any advice on that would be greatly appreciated.

I have a GSD x Malinois named Rogue who is the best dog in the world. But I'm looking to bring home a new puppy (a Malinois) in order to work as mentioned.

Currently I appear to have two options, the first is a litter of puppies who are six weeks old, there's only one for me to choose but they are from working lines and IPO champions, both parents were imported from holland (van Joefarm lines) and the sire is working protecting celebrities in Ireland. Grandparents and aunts and uncles as well as previous litters have been shown to me in videos of the working and thladies it drive is incredible. This is the pup in the first pictures. The only thing is that obviously I don't get to choose my puppy.

The second option I have is a litter of puppies who are a week old currently and I'm the first to enquire so would get first pick of the litter, they are KC registered and five generation pedigree and both parents work for a security firm, although I can actually meet both of the parents there are no videos demonstrating their working lines or drive... but the breeder has said that I can perform any tests I like on the puppies and the parents and would be able to visit the puppies once per week to do anything I like in regards to spending time with them and developing drive. These are the ones in the last pictures. I've included pictures of both sets of parents too.

The last picture is of my boy Rogue as I've noticed with Malinois puppies it's hard to tell what their colouration will be like and although I'm not that concerned it would just be nice to have a different colouration. I love the Mals with a jet black mask and underside with the grayish light back but would also be happy with black mask and light fawn allover. Just looking for some advice.

Kind regards.

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Dear All,

I am based in Delhi, India. If you are looking for buying a Puppy, please consult a veterinary doctor before taking and decision.